Halloween is only a few weeks away and many parents are creating or buying costumes and making plans for the big night. For most families, ghosts and goblins are not the scary thing about October 31; the fear is that injuries can happen to children who are out trick-or-treating. While traditionally parents have been worried about foreign objects in candy, the real threat comes from Miami car accidents, costumes, and product defects. Here’s how to celebrate safely:
1) Look for costumes that provide lots of visibility. Miami pedestrian accidents are one of the biggest risks to children heading out for Halloween. Children often get excited about the candy and may run out into traffic. While most motorists know to be careful on Halloween night, accidents can still occur. You can help by ensuring that your child’s costume is highly visible. Look for light fabrics, reflective stickers, and even lights on the costume to reduce the risk of your child being injured in a Miami traffic accident. Ensure that your child will head out with a group of friends and that some of those friends will be carrying flashlights for even better visibility.
2) Whether you are making a costume or buying it, make sure that it does not have any dangling sleeves, hoods, or hems. These can easily catch flame if a child leans over a jack o’ lantern or comes too close to a candle. Long hems can also pose a tripping hazard.
3) Consider flammability. Choose a sturdy costume that is not made of easily flammable materials. Thin, synthetic materials can easily go up in flames, and that is very dangerous since children may be near candles, jack o’ lanterns and other sources of fire during Halloween. Check the labels for information about the material of a costume.
4) Review Halloween safety rules with children. Children should know to approach only well-lit homes and should always stay with a group. Make sure your children know to only cross streets at crosswalks and only in groups.
5) Talk to teens about Halloween driving. If this is the first Halloween that your teen will be driving, be sure to talk about the dangers of this specific night. Encourage your teen to use extra caution on Halloween night.
6) Avoid costumes and toys with sharp edges or small items that can become detached. Small detachable parts can pose a choking hazard while any sharp or jagged items can cause eye injuries or cuts.
7) Take a second look at Halloween décor as well as costumes. Some of the decorations available for Halloween can be dangerous. Avoid any small items –such as fake gravestones – on the lawn, as they can pose a tripping hazard. Replace candles with battery-powered lights. If you want fog, consider a quality fog machine instead of dry ice, which can cause Miami burn injuries.
If you have sustained an injury you feel may have been caused by a defective product, contact the Flaxman Law Group at any time to arrange for a free accident consultation to discuss your case.